What do these Uni terms mean?

When students are looking in to

When students are looking in to university study, they often come across
words or terms they are unfamiliar with. So, here are a few of the more commonly
used terms to help students understand what is being talked about!

Associate Degree

An associate degree is generally a two-year qualification that is
made up of two-thirds of a bachelor degree, and may be offered by both TAFEs and universities. Students often use this as a stepping stone to
the full Bachelor Degree.

Assumed knowledge

Refers to subjects the university recommends or prefers a student to
have studied at school before starting the course.

ATAR

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank - the figure used by UAC and
VTAC to calculate the entrance ranking for a university course.

Bachelor Degree

The award/qualification a student gains when they have completed
studies in an undergraduate course, which takes between 3 or 4 years of
full-time study. This is the traditional starting point of a university
qualification.

Bridging Course

An introductory course to help students achieve the preferred entry
level to a degree, e.g. a bridging maths course for students who do not
have the preferred maths but need it to access a course.

Census Date

The last day a student can withdraw from their university course and
not owe fees.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

A student's enrolment in a university degree for which the
Commonwealth government makes a contribution towards the cost of that
student's education (formerly known as a HECS place).

Credit

If a student has previously studied - perhaps at TAFE - and has
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL), the student may be able to receive
credit for a subject or subjects in their course. Also often referred to
as Advanced Standing.

Double degree

A student can choose to complete a double degree - this integrates
studies in two degrees resulting in an award of two degrees, usually
after a minimum of 4 years of study. Often also referred to as Combined
Degrees.

Defer

A student may choose to delay starting their course. Deferring an
offer of a place might mean delaying for 6, 12, 18 or 24 months.
Deferment ensures the student is guaranteed their place in their
selected course.

Elective

A subject that is not core to the degree and is often from another
faculty, e.g. a commerce student might choose psychology (from the Arts
Faculty) as an elective.

Faculty

A department within a university devoted to a particular area of
study - so, Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Science.

FEE-HELP

An Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible students
(not CSP) to pay all or part of their tuition fees.

HECS-HELP

An Australian Government loan scheme that assists students with a CSP place to pay their
contribution. Students may choose to pay their fees upfront and receive
a 10% discount, or choose to defer payment via the HECS-HELP loan scheme.

Honours

Many Bachelor degrees offer a fourth (or extra) year - called an Honours year.
The Honours year allows students to further focus on a particular an
area of interest. The Honours year can either be integrated into a
4-year Bachelor degree or be offered as a separate year after completion
of a 3-year Bachelor degree.

Lecture

A period of teaching given by a lecturer to a large group of
students in a lecture theatre; can often be as many as 300 students in a
lecture.

Major study

An area within a course that allows in-depth study in a particular
field. More than one major may be allowed in some courses.

Minor study

A grouping of subjects allowing a broader understanding of a few
subjects, with less emphasis on in-depth study.

OP

Your Overall Position (OP) is a Queensland statewide rank based on
overall achievement in approved subjects. It is used for the purpose of
allocating tertiary education places.

Prerequisite

A set of conditions - usually a completion of a subject - that must
be met before enrolment in a subject or course is allowed.

QTAC

Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) - all students wishing to study
at universities in Queensland must apply online through QTAC.

Transcript

This is the university academic record each student receives, like a
school report.

Tutorial

A period of teaching given to a small group of students - involving
discussion and participation.

UAC

Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) - all students wishing to study
at universities in ACT and NSW must apply online through UAC.

Undergraduate

A student studying at university for a first level degree, e.g. a
Bachelor degree.

VET-FEE HELP

An Australian Government loan scheme for students undertaking higher
level Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. This applies to
Diploma (and some Certificate IV) level courses. For some students, 20% loan fee applies.

VTAC

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) - all students wishing
to study at universities Victoria must apply online through VTAC.

Workplace learning

Practical training in a workplace, such as internships or practical
work experience. This is a hands-on experience - some universities call
it Industry Based Learning or Work Integrated Learning.

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